9 Things You Never Thought To Do With Your Vacuum Cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is one of the most valuable tools you can own, and not just because it’s a great way to keep your carpets clean! A good vacuum can come in handy in many different situations — some of which you may not have considered before!

In this post, we’ll explore some of the more surprising things you can do with your vacuum. By the end of this list, I think you’ll agree that vacuums are even more useful than we give them credit for! :-)

9 Unexpected Things You Can Do With Your Vacuum

1. Recover Small Items

Have you ever dropped something really small onto your carpet and immediately lost track of it? A vacuum is the perfect tool for just such situations!

Pull a stocking or one leg of a pair of pantyhose over your vacuum attachment, then turn on your vacuum and go over the area of carpeting where you dropped the item. Your vacuum will suck the item up, and the stocking will hold it in place for you.

See this tip in action:

2. Fix Carpet Indentations

There’s a simple way to eliminate indentations in your carpet that were left behind by heavy furniture. Just place an ice cube in the indentation and allow it to melt completely. The water will help to re-fluff the carpet fibers. Allow the carpet to dry for a while, then vacuum the area to remove any trace of the indentation.

Related: This Crazy Simple Hack Does What Your Vacuum Can’t

3. Freshen The Air

Use your vacuum to clean your carpets and freshen the air at the same time! Before you start vacuuming, add a few drops of the nifty lemon essential oil (or your oil of choice) to a cotton ball. Place the cotton ball in your vacuum’s dust cup, then vacuum as usual.

The airflow through your vacuum will disperse the scent of the essential oil and freshen the air as you go!

4. Improve Allergy Symptoms

If you’re experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms while you’re inside, it could be a sign that pollen has made its way indoors.

Try vacuuming your window tracks, window screens, and window sills to remove any dust, pollen, and other allergens. You should also use your vacuum’s dusting attachment to remove dust from fans, A/C units, heating vents, and radiators.

5. Prevent A Fire

Dryer fires happen all the time, and many of them are caused by lint buildup inside the dryer. Remove the lint trap from your dryer, then use the crevice tool to vacuum any lint that may be inside the vent. Do this a few times a year to reduce the risk of a dryer fire.

Related: How To Clean And Maintain Your Dryer To Avoid A Fire

6. Freshen Your Mattress

With as much time as you spend on your mattress, you want to keep it smelling fresh! You can do that with a simple baking soda treatment. Just strip your mattress down and sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the surface.

Allow the baking soda to sit on the mattress for an hour or two to absorb odors and moisture, then vacuum it up. Your mattress will be much fresher afterward!

7. Deodorize Almost Anything

There’s a quick and easy way to deodorize almost anything using a trash bag, some cat litter, and your vacuum. Just place the smelly item inside a trash bag, add a couple of cups of cat litter to the bag, then tie it off.

Leave it for a few hours or up to a few days, then remove the item and vacuum it to remove any litter or dust. That’s all there is to it!

8. Groom Your Pet

Every pet has different preferences, but many cats and dogs love having their coats vacuumed! It’s probably akin to the feeling of a good scratch, and as an added bonus for you, vacuuming will remove loose fur too.

As long as your pet isn’t obviously terrified of your vacuum, you might consider giving this tip a try!

9. Dust Everything

Have you put off dusting for a little too long? (I’m quite frequently guilty of this myself!) I find it helpful to remove most of the loose dust first with the dusting attachment on my vacuum. After that, I just go over everything with a damp cloth to remove any lingering debris!

Related: This Is The Most Brilliant Vacuum Hack You’ll See All Year

Do you have a favorite unconventional use for your vacuum cleaner?